Teen Abby Gore reflects on Mitzvah Day at Congregation Or Ami and the 400+ comfort bags we prepared.
Mitzvah Day Reflections: Abby Gore
Mitzvah Day Reflections: Jonathan Levy
Jonathan Levy (father of 2) reflects on Mitzvah Day at Congregation Or Ami and the 400+ comfort bags we prepared.
Mitzvah Day Reflections: Shelly Hiskey
Shelly Hiskey (mom of 3) reflects on Mitzvah Day at Congregation Or Ami and the 400+ comfort bags we prepared.
“You Don’t Need to Speak Loudly to be Heard,” and Other Life Lessons – from Shimon Peres (and David Sackman)
Life Lessons from Shimon Peres, as conveyed by David Sackman, from David's hour long meeting with the 90+ year old former Prime Minister of Israel.
Start Up Synagogues: The Future Looks Hopeful
Synagogues, like our own Congregation Or Ami, are retooling, experimenting, failing at times, and picking themselves up to innovate anew. The results are exhilarating! Jewish Start Up Synagogues – often the older shuls that are renewing themselves – are exciting and exceedingly hopeful.
Video: Biennial Havdala with Cantors Doug and Kyle Cotler and Rabbi Kipnes
Cantor Doug Cotler, son Cantor Kyle Cotler and Rabbi Paul Kipnes lead Havdala for 5000+ Reform Jews at the Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial Convention.
Halloween Torah: The Bible’s Scariest Horror Story
Halloween Torah: The Akedah is a bloodcurdling tale of a menacing father who almost murders his kid, a nightmare waiting to keep you up all night.
Anti-Semitism Policies in the University of California System
Rabbi Evan Goodman addressed the UC Regents on anti-Semitism policies across campuses. Rabbi Evan stated, "To solve a problem, you must be able to able name that problem. We have a problem here. That problem is anti-Semitism."
Journey Forth to Inclusion and You Shall Be a Blessing – Parashat Lech Lecha
Lech L'cha - our journeys, especially those that lead us beyond the familiar or out of our comfort zones, can lead to inspiring metamorphosis. When Abraham and Sarah ventured into the unknown, they became a long lasting great nation. We pray that by embracing inclusion our synagogues, camps, youth movements, day schools, JCC’s and other Jewish organizations will similarly heed the Divine call.
When Youth Engagement Works: Teens Lead Younger Students
Youth engagement succeeds when teens have real life responsibility for their own Jewish learning. After years of adequate adult-led youth services we reached out to our teens. Their involvement as High Holy Day service leaders resulted in more spiritually engaging youth services and also the development of a cadre of teens capable of leading their younger peers in meaningful worship.
Mitzvah Day by Reporter Megan Boykoff
TV Reporter Megan Boykoff created a report about Congregation Or Ami's Mitzvah Day, creating 400+ Comfort Dufflebags for kids entering emergency foster care
What Sh’ma Means to Me by Dani Klinenberg
Teen Dani Klinenberg reflects on Sh'ma. With six short words, we can recognize God’s greatness.
Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Noah’s Ark
Torah Tidbits: Parashat Bereshit (Genesis 1:1- 6:8)
Genesis, Parashat Bereshit, overflows with abiding lessons about Creation, humanity's purpose, Torah's truth, life's unclarity, radical amazement. Here are this year's favorite Torah Tidbits.
Eulogies – Beginnings, Middles and Endings for HUC-JIR Students
Resources for Preparing for Funerals and Eulogies, Compiled by Rabbi Paul Kipnes
After a Particularly Tragic Death; To Create Community; Eulogy Frames; For an aged person without survivors